By Aleks Tapinsh, Truth Staff
GOSHEN -- Elkhart County's message to St. Joe: Drop your petition for the region's sake.
Responding to an invitation from St. Joseph County to discuss time, the Elkhart County commissioners asked their colleagues Wednesday to withdraw their petition to switch time zones.
In its place, the commissioners proposed pulling resources together to find the solution to the time problem "on a broader scale."
"An investigation of the effect Central time may have on our business community is beyond the capacity of our individual county resources and is an issue we are convinced should be addressed at the state level," the commissioners said in a statement.
St. Joseph County previously asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to authorize a switch from the Eastern to Central time zone. The agency tentatively granted the move. Elkhart County decided to remain in the Eastern time zone.
The Elkhart County commissioners recognize South Bend as an important city for north-central Indiana and southwest Michigan, the statement said. To keep the South Bend region on the same time, the commissioners request that St. Joseph County withdraw its petition for a zone change.
Being on the same time is a matter of convenience, said Mike Yoder, Elkhart County commissioner.
"We now have an opportunity for southwest Michigan and north-central Indiana to be on the same time year round," the commissioners said in a written statement. "We believe that opportunity outweighs all of the other debated points."
Eastern time for the region made the most sense economically, said Elkhart County Commissioner Terry Rodino. Nevertheless ,the commissioners are interested in discussing Central time with St. Joe for the region as a whole.
"I didn't have a preference," Rodino said. "I wanted to keep the region together. I'd love to see this thing work together."
St. Joseph County commissioners did not return phone calls seeking comment Wednesday.